Re: RC: Up Hill or Down

[Truman Prevatt <truman.prevatt@netsrq.com>]

The problem here is the difference between the center of mass and the
"center of gravity". The center of mass does not change with the
orientation but the "center of gravity does." Gravity is a radial force
(that is points to the center of the earth). If the horse is standing on
its head all the force goes through its head. If its sitting on its rear
with its nose in the air all the force goes through its butt. 

Truman

Tivers@aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 1/10/00 10:48:24 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> dleblanc@mindspring.com writes:
> 
> << The assumption that the center of gravity will change is based on the fact
>  that the saddle and rider both move back and forth depending on the slope
>  of the back of the horse.  Tell you what - let's make it really simple -
>  we'll take the rider out of the picture.  Let's just consider the horse.
> 
>  I doubt the Smithsonian would be interested - I'd thought all this would be
>  intuitively obvious to the casual observer (horse sense tells you it's true
>  <g>), but apparently not.  So I'll work out the math for you in a moment. >>
> 
> Let's make it even simpler. The center of gravity of the horse is just behind
> the shoulder, near the heart, when the horse is standing on a flat surface,
> according to the science, putting 60% of his stance weight on the forelegs.
> You can drop a plumb  line from this point and it will fall just behind the
> forefoot. If you place the horse on a downward incline,  The plumb line moves
> forward, probably past the foreleg on a reasonably gentle incline. Just a
> casual observation that doesn't require any horsemanship at all to make.
> 
> What you are saying is that this does not result in more weight being placed
> on the forelegs vs the hindlegs? Don't need a long academic dissertation,
> just yea or neigh. Let's get past this one before we entertain the next
> simple concept.
> 
> ti
> 

-- 
Truman Prevatt
Mystic “The Horse from Hell” Storm 
Buck's Mystic Karma
Rocket a.k.a. Mr. Misty
Jordy a.k.a. Bridger (when he is good)
Danson Flame - hey dad I'm well now and ready to go!

Brooksville, FL


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